Prediction: St. Patrick’s Athletic vs Dudelange

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In need of a second-leg comeback at Richmond Park on Thursday night, St. Patrick’s will welcome Dudelange to Ireland for what could be another lively affair.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Starting with the hosts, missing out on what they had billed as a golden first-leg opportunity last week, St. Patrick’s will know that they face a real uphill battle here. Eventually slumping to a lively 2-1 defeat away in Luxembourg, Jon Daly’s men are still trying to find some stability since returning from June’s international break. Despite entering July with a stunning 7-0 romp against UC Dublin, that is one of just two victories that the Irish outfit have recorded from their previous five appearances across all competitions. Nevertheless, continuing to shine on home soil this season, the one-time Hearts coach will be excited by a return to Richmond Park in midweek. Including an action-packed 4-1 win against Derry last month, St. Patrick’s have mustered 16 points from just their last six domestic showdowns in Dublin – a run that stems all the way back to May 1st. However, it should be highlighted, Thursday’s hosts have seen seven of their last nine appearances finish with both teams finding the net.

Team News

While attacking talisman Christopher Forrester might have drawn a blank in four of his last five appearances across all competitions, the one-time Aberdeen striker will spearhead the Saints’ charge here.

Impressing since really bursting onto the scene this season, Sam Curtis should once again start at the heart of Daly’s defence on Thursday night. The 17-year-old could be partnered with former Bolton starlet Harry Brockbank at Richmond Park.

Dudelange

As for the visitors, springing what was a mild Conference League upset on home soil last week as they claimed that first-leg 2-1 victory, Dudelange will simply be looking to finish off their qualifying job here. Drawing a line under their three-match winless run after returning from the summer break, Carlos Fangueiro’s men will arrive at Richmond Park with the mood in their camp at a real high. However, tipped as an underdog pick in midweek, the Yellows did show some extended issues on their travels when signing off the 2022/23 campaign. Including a lively 4-2 defeat at the hands of Jeunesse Esch back on May 21st, Dudelange lost each of their final three domestic away fixtures by an aggregate score of 10-6. Really gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes earlier in the year, neutrals could be treated to another thrilling affair here.

Team News

Picking up that first-leg 2-1 victory last week, Fangueiro could be tempted to name the same starting XI on Thursday night. Bagging a second-half strike in Luxembourg last week, 21-year-old Yahcuroo Roemer should once again spearhead Dudelange’s attack at Richmond Park.

Making his debut after only arriving from Belgium outfit RSC Charleroi earlier in the month, 24-year-old Didier Desprez will start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg meeting in Luxembourg last week, Dudelange picked up a 2-1 victory.
• However, Thursday’s guests have lost each of their last three away fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 10-6.
• St. Patrick’s have mustered 16 points from just their last six domestic showdowns in Dublin – a run that stems all the way back to May 1st.
• Likewise, the Saints have notched 18 goals on that seven-match unbeaten run at Richmond Park.
• Thursday’s hosts have seen seven of their last nine appearances finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Hit with a 2-1 first-leg defeat when they travelled out to Luxembourg last week, St. Patrick’s will certainly be excited to make a return to Richmond Park here. Unbeaten in each of their previous seven appearances on home soil and notching 18 strikes on that Dublin flurry, neutrals could be treated to another enjoyable affair in midweek. With Dudelange losing their last three straight away fixtures by an aggregate score of 10-6, chances could come thick and fast on Thursday night. Likewise, with St. Patrick’s seeing seven of their last nine matchups finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet